Quote from BBC news:
An American teenager is on his way back to Florida after secretly travelling to Iraq to research a journalism project. Farris Hassan, 16, did not tell his parents - who are both Iraqi - anything about his trip before leaving. ...
"I know I can't do much. I know I can't stop all the carnage and save the innocent. But I also know I can't just sit here," he wrote.
"Going to Iraq will broaden my mind. We kids at Pine Crest live such sheltered lives. I want to experience during my Christmas the same hardships ordinary Iraqis experience everyday, so that I may better empathize with their distress."
"If I know what is needed and what is right, but do not act on my moral conscience, I would be a hypocrite. I must do what I say decent individuals should do. I want to live my days so that my nights are not full of regrets. Therefore, I must go," he concluded.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/4569712.stm
Published: 2005/12/30 16:08:49 GMT
Quote from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Friday, Dec. 30, 2005:
"There is a struggle in Iraq between good and evil, between those striving for freedom and liberty and those striving for death and destruction," [Farris Hassan] wrote.
"Those terrorists are not human but pure evil. For their goals to be thwarted, decent individuals must answer justice's call for help. Unfortunately altruism is always in short supply. Not enough are willing to set aside the material ambitions of this transient world, put morality first, and risk their lives for the cause of humanity. So I will."
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/nation/13511872.htm
Friday, December 30, 2005
Doggedly Blundering toward Heaven
on the humanity of the saints:
"They lost their tempers, got hungry, scolded God, were egotistical or testy or impatient in their turns, made mistakes and regretted them. Still they went on doggedly blundering toward Heaven. And they won sanctity partly by willing to be saints, not only because they encountered no temptation to be less."
Saint-Watching, Phyllis McGinley
"They lost their tempers, got hungry, scolded God, were egotistical or testy or impatient in their turns, made mistakes and regretted them. Still they went on doggedly blundering toward Heaven. And they won sanctity partly by willing to be saints, not only because they encountered no temptation to be less."
Saint-Watching, Phyllis McGinley
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Five Christian Movie Review Sites
New York Times, December 26, 2005
New Cultural Approach for Conservative Christians: Reviews,
Not Protests
By JOHN LELAND
Christian groups used to ignore movies like " Brokeback Mountain." Recently, they have been more willing to examine popular culture critically.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/26/movies/26crit.html?th&emc=th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christian Movie Review Sites quoted in the above New York Times article:
pluggedinonline.com
Focus on the Family Web site pluggedinonline.com , which started reviewing movies in 1990, gets 800,000 monthly visitors to pluggedinonline, and 50,000 see the magazine in print, a spokeswoman said.
Christianitytodaymovies.com
The mainstream evangelical magazine Christianity Today last year started Christianitytodaymovies.com and the site gets 125,000 visitors a month.
HollywoodJesus.com
HollywoodJesus " HollywoodJesus.com" gets one million visitors a month, said its founder, David Bruce, a former Protestant minister who has also worked in television and publishing.
decentfilms.com
Decent Films Guide ( decentfilms.com ) an independent Roman Catholic site
movieguide.org
The more conservative MovieGuide, which runs on syndicated television, radio and online at movieguide.org, is a Web site dedicated to "redeeming the values of the mass media according to biblical principles."
Reviewer Mr. Snyder, who has a doctorate in film studies from Northwestern University, says "Hollywood projects a leftist homosexual agenda, which goes along with radical feminism, and a misunderstanding of what Christianity teaches."
Seminary quoted: Fuller Theological Seminary, an evangelical institution, in Pasadena, Calif.
Strategy:
quote: So far the religious reaction to "Brokeback Mountain" has been limited to the review pages. … This too represents a growing sophistication in the way conservative Christian groups engage the popular culture, said Stuart Shepard, managing editor of Focus on the Family's daily e-mail news updates, which go out to 115,000 subscribers. "We're not going to go out and protest it because it would probably play into the marketing plans of the producers," he said. "They'd say, the Christian right is opposed to this movie, so you really, really, really want to see it."
"We learned from 'Last Temptation of Christ' that if it wasn't for the protest, the film wouldn't be remembered today," Mr. Shepard said. "Our expectation is 'Brokeback Mountain' won't do as well in the heartland, but protest would bump that up."
New Cultural Approach for Conservative Christians: Reviews,
Not Protests
By JOHN LELAND
Christian groups used to ignore movies like " Brokeback Mountain." Recently, they have been more willing to examine popular culture critically.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/26/movies/26crit.html?th&emc=th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christian Movie Review Sites quoted in the above New York Times article:
pluggedinonline.com
Focus on the Family Web site pluggedinonline.com , which started reviewing movies in 1990, gets 800,000 monthly visitors to pluggedinonline, and 50,000 see the magazine in print, a spokeswoman said.
Christianitytodaymovies.com
The mainstream evangelical magazine Christianity Today last year started Christianitytodaymovies.com and the site gets 125,000 visitors a month.
HollywoodJesus.com
HollywoodJesus " HollywoodJesus.com" gets one million visitors a month, said its founder, David Bruce, a former Protestant minister who has also worked in television and publishing.
decentfilms.com
Decent Films Guide ( decentfilms.com ) an independent Roman Catholic site
movieguide.org
The more conservative MovieGuide, which runs on syndicated television, radio and online at movieguide.org, is a Web site dedicated to "redeeming the values of the mass media according to biblical principles."
Reviewer Mr. Snyder, who has a doctorate in film studies from Northwestern University, says "Hollywood projects a leftist homosexual agenda, which goes along with radical feminism, and a misunderstanding of what Christianity teaches."
Seminary quoted: Fuller Theological Seminary, an evangelical institution, in Pasadena, Calif.
Strategy:
quote: So far the religious reaction to "Brokeback Mountain" has been limited to the review pages. … This too represents a growing sophistication in the way conservative Christian groups engage the popular culture, said Stuart Shepard, managing editor of Focus on the Family's daily e-mail news updates, which go out to 115,000 subscribers. "We're not going to go out and protest it because it would probably play into the marketing plans of the producers," he said. "They'd say, the Christian right is opposed to this movie, so you really, really, really want to see it."
"We learned from 'Last Temptation of Christ' that if it wasn't for the protest, the film wouldn't be remembered today," Mr. Shepard said. "Our expectation is 'Brokeback Mountain' won't do as well in the heartland, but protest would bump that up."
Friday, December 23, 2005
Going Back to Normal
New York Times, Dec. 23, 2005
- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -
"There's nothing so beautiful as going back to normal."
- MAHMOUD SADAKAH, a taxi driver, on the end of New York's transit strike.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/23/nyregion
/nyregionspecial3/23voices.html?th&emc=th
- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -
"There's nothing so beautiful as going back to normal."
- MAHMOUD SADAKAH, a taxi driver, on the end of New York's transit strike.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/23/nyregion
/nyregionspecial3/23voices.html?th&emc=th
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Helpful Hint
"One of the most important points to remember is the scale stamped on the inside of the pan is actually a good standard to follow."
Tiger Corporation electronic rice cooker operating instructions
Osaka, Japan
Tiger Corporation electronic rice cooker operating instructions
Osaka, Japan
Are you OK?
"If you believe in God, and He exists, you're OK.
If you believe in God, and He doesn't exist, you're OK.
If you don't believe in God, and He doesn't exist, you're still OK.
But, if you don't believe in God, and He does EXIST, then boy you're in BIG trouble!"
--author unknown
If you believe in God, and He doesn't exist, you're OK.
If you don't believe in God, and He doesn't exist, you're still OK.
But, if you don't believe in God, and He does EXIST, then boy you're in BIG trouble!"
--author unknown
Monday, December 19, 2005
Shine Anyway!
When you are not allowed to shine, shine anyway.
When you are discouraged from shining, shine anyway.
When you are criticized for shining, shine anyway.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Shine anyway!
When you are discouraged from shining, shine anyway.
When you are criticized for shining, shine anyway.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Shine anyway!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Trying to Please Everyone
"You know, they say that a preacher who tries to please everyone is like a stray dog at a whistler's convention. ...
If you try to address every side ... in any given teaching situation, you'll be all over the place. Changes are good you won't do any one thing very well."
Dr. Richard Robert Osmer
Teaching for Faith, A Guide for Teachers of Adult Classes
video, Princeton Theological Seminary
If you try to address every side ... in any given teaching situation, you'll be all over the place. Changes are good you won't do any one thing very well."
Dr. Richard Robert Osmer
Teaching for Faith, A Guide for Teachers of Adult Classes
video, Princeton Theological Seminary
Monday, December 05, 2005
Statistics
"Statistics are like bathing suits. What they reveal is tantalizing, but what they conceal is crucial."
Dr. Brent A. Strawn - Candler School of Theology at Emory University
Dr. Brent A. Strawn - Candler School of Theology at Emory University
Rendering Vulnerable
"Writing is most powerful when it renders both the writer and the reader vulnerable."
Chris Bolin, student, poetry
Iowa Writer's Workshop
Chris Bolin, student, poetry
Iowa Writer's Workshop
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Best Bathrooms Around the World
As seen on NBC 10 News at 11 p.m.:
Links: Best Bathrooms
POSTED: 8:02 pm EST November 30, 2005
Bathrooms
Link: www.thebathroomdiaries.com
Link: www.wheretostopwheretogo.com
Links: Best Bathrooms
POSTED: 8:02 pm EST November 30, 2005
Bathrooms
Link: www.thebathroomdiaries.com
Link: www.wheretostopwheretogo.com
Getting a Human on the Phone
New as of Feb. 2, 2006: go to gethuman.com
The IVR Cheat Sheet by Paul English
www.paulenglish.com/ivr/
Includes: finance company, phone number, steps to find a human
The IVR Cheat Sheet
Thursday, 2-February-2006
The "get human" fury unleashed by over one million consumers has become too great to be handled by the sole blogger who started this campaign in 2005.
As of today, the IVR Cheat Sheet™ is being shut down...
...and is now replaced with a new free site powered by over one million consumers who demand human contact.
Please change your links to http://gethuman.com.
—Paul English
The IVR Cheat Sheet by Paul English
www.paulenglish.com/ivr/
Includes: finance company, phone number, steps to find a human
The IVR Cheat Sheet
Thursday, 2-February-2006
The "get human" fury unleashed by over one million consumers has become too great to be handled by the sole blogger who started this campaign in 2005.
As of today, the IVR Cheat Sheet™ is being shut down...
...and is now replaced with a new free site powered by over one million consumers who demand human contact.
Please change your links to http://gethuman.com.
—Paul English
Monday, November 28, 2005
A Chance to Repent
The good die young that they may not degenerate; the wicked live on that they may have a chance to repent, or to produce a virtuous progeny.
-Zohar, Genesis, 56b
from 'A Treasury of Jewish Quotations,' edited by Joseph L. Baron, Jason Aronson Inc.
(from Nancy D.)
-Zohar, Genesis, 56b
from 'A Treasury of Jewish Quotations,' edited by Joseph L. Baron, Jason Aronson Inc.
(from Nancy D.)
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Living for Others
"She's the sort of woman who lives for others -- you can always tell the others by their hunted expression."
-- C. S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters
-- C. S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Expose yourself to Enthusiasm!
from a sermon by John Galloway,
Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne, PA, Sept. 4, 2005
"Expose yourself to enthusiasm!"
There is awesome spiritual power in enthusiasm.
Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne, PA, Sept. 4, 2005
"Expose yourself to enthusiasm!"
There is awesome spiritual power in enthusiasm.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
St. Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.
"Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. Meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses.”
http://www.cotwest.com/1/COTW
/prayers.asp?NsID=2995
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.
"Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. Meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses.”
http://www.cotwest.com/1/COTW
/prayers.asp?NsID=2995
Mother Theresa: Love Them Anyway
Way of Life
Author: Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, some could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you‘ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
Author: Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, some could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you‘ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
Revenge
Quotes from Juvenal (Decimus Junius Juvenal)
Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.
[Lat., Semper et infirmi est animi exiguique voluptas Ultio.]
Source: Satires (XIII, 189)
You are not to do evil that good may come of it.
[Lat., Non faciat malum, ut inde veniat bonum.]
Source: Satires (XIII, 209)
http://www.worldofquotes.com/author
/Juvenal-(Decimus-Junius-Juvenal)/1/
Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.
[Lat., Semper et infirmi est animi exiguique voluptas Ultio.]
Source: Satires (XIII, 189)
You are not to do evil that good may come of it.
[Lat., Non faciat malum, ut inde veniat bonum.]
Source: Satires (XIII, 209)
http://www.worldofquotes.com/author
/Juvenal-(Decimus-Junius-Juvenal)/1/
Saturday, November 12, 2005
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